Sig Sauer KILO3K Rangefinder

[X Count]

Hi All,

I regularly shoot competitively on known distance ranges with wind flags out to 1200yds but have the opportunity to plink steel at various ranges with the next goal being 1 mile.

This isn't a competition but throwing 20 rounds down range just guessing isn't really interesting to me.

- Goal is to make regular hits at various ranges, on 2moa steel, in 3 rounds less, out to a mile.
- Currently have a non Bluetooth wind speed meter that has worked well and don't have the funds for a kestrel rite now but it's on the with list.
- Am using JBM and the Hornady app for solutions and has worked well enough. Not at all opposed to changing but would like to avoid subscription based apps
- Have read that applied ballistics has talken a backwards step in usability so open to options.
- Locations can vary and often don't have ph or internet connection.


I have the opportunity to purchase a sig kilo 3k at a good price new. https://www.sigsauer.com/kilo3k-lrf-6x22mm-red-oled-display-ble-bdx-u-x-od-green-class-1m.html It looks to have some good features so would appreciate any feedback or opinions. Other than the price, a few things that seem like they would be useful to me:

- Range on trees to 1800yds
- Has Bluetooth
- Onboard temp, pressure and humidity sensors
- Using BDX can connect to sig BDX app. Using my existing wind speed meter can input wind speed and direction into the app, range target and have the solution displayed on the app and in the rangefinder.
- In the future can connect to kestrel and provide solutions displayed in the rangefinder or on the kestrel. (This would do away with needing a device on hand to run the app and make things quicker)
- Has BDX-U which is embedded applied ballistics lite. This only works out to 800yds so not that valuable to me.

Does the sig BDX app compensate for aerodynamic jump and coriolis and is it able to work offline?

Anyone have experience with their "infinite" warranty? People speak very highly of vortex warranty.

 

[SKWERLZ]

The problem with units like that is it’s difficult to clear the sensors to get an accurate reading
There’s a very good reason you whirl the kestrel on the lanyard, as they tend to warm up from sun, against body or on a warm shooting mat.

My procedure is to clear the sensors , get my environmentals then lock the sensors do your data doesn’t drift.

Personally if you have a rangefinder already that can cover your needs I’d save up for a kestrel.

 

[X Count]

Interesting point. I don't know if that is a feature that could be turned off.

I don't have a rangefinder at all so need something. Even if it's just to get the range and I keep using the Hornady app.

I haven't seen another rangefinder at a similar price point that has the ability to connect with a kestrel in the future. Do I spend $100- $150 more for potential to have a device with its own external app and the potential to connect to a kestrel in the future or buy a rangefinder that JUST does distance and need buy a rangefinder AND a kestrel in the future if I want them to communicate?

 

[Walt Krafft]

I have the Sig bdx rangefinder and am very happy with it. I have not used all its feature as I am somewhat a dumbass. Checking its accuracy on several kd ranges and it is spot on.

 

[ISS]

I have a 5K. I consider it indispensable for live varmint shooting or hunting. Every shot is at an unknown range on Rockchucks or Coyotes. Deer and Elk are a bigger target, but it is wonderful to know the exact distance away.
That price is very good value.

ISS

 

[X Count]

I have a 5K. I consider it indispensable for live varmint shooting or hunting. Every shot is at an unknown range on Rockchucks or Coyotes. Deer and Elk are a bigger target, but it is wonderful to know the exact distance away.
That price is very good value.

ISS

Do you integrate it with any external app or wind speed meter or do you just use it as a standalone range finder?

 

[X Count]

Well pulled the trigger and ordered one online. Hopefully they still have stock.

 

[X Count]

Well just got an email to say they are out of stock. That's f&&_! annoying!

In the meantime I've done a fair bit of research on the unit.

One concerning thing is in the manual they say "if you can't range trees at 400yds your unit may have fallen out of alignment". Thats a big difference between their max 1800yds on trees vs "yeah it's only a problem if you can't get 400". See attached

For those that have one of these units what is your real world distances on a sunny day on something like a hay bail? What about a vehicle or house?

Few other points

- Using the app and the rangefinder you have a 800yd max ballistic calculator.
- If you want to go past 800 ideally you pair it with a kestrel with AB elite. Zap your range and the solution will be displayed on the kestrel, not in the rangefinder. If the rangefinder is paired with the kestrel then the BDX app can not connect to the rangefinder at the same time. Meaning . . . You need to have the kestrel in a position that you can see the display
- For me id probably use the rangefinder and the BDX app for all my hunting rifles so it's a quick zap and get a solution inside normal hunting ranges. For longer distances I'll probably use the rangefinder and then input into the Hornady app. Might take a little longer but steel doesn't run very fast.

 

[ELR LVR]

Have you checked out the Vortex Razor HD 4000 ---$500
Or the Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB ---$800
Beam Divergence is 2.0 x 0.1 (wide and short for hitting things like trees, turn it sideways if you want to range in between trees)
(I found a quick vid of it )

I currently use a Leica and it's great but for the price and the reviews Ive seen
One of these 2 Vortex Models looks like a good purchase
for doing over 1 Mile Shooting
You want it to range ON something you point at since that far away things can be 100 or hundreds of yards apart by even slightly panning over if you wiggle.
-------------
Ive been comparing rangefinders for a few months now considering my Leica 1600 is outdated.
and for instance if you buy one at Sportsmans
They have an easy 30 day return if you dont like it.
So its a walk in deal
---------------------------Leica is great glass, fast ranging, but terrible with warranty time
---------------------------Vortex offers their VIP warranty
One thing I found with rangefinders is
I was all prepared to buy a Vectronix Terrapin before, but then the company stopped making them
then made them again, but they are not as good as before, it keeps going back and forth so whats any warranty or repairs going to be like with that behavior?
When I bought my Leica it was their best model
then next year they added another unit that ranged another 1000 yds
then next 6 months another 1000 yds etc
---------------------------
Point being, they are developing so quickly, I would not want to spend more than the price of the Vortex just to see the next better model suddenly come out and you end up kicking yourself
---------------------------
I dont know much about the Sigs unit other than Sig is good at making guns, not electronics, not scopes
Sig is remarketing other chinese products and making money off their own rebadged name.
Leica has always been known for their high quality glass, Vortex as well
Whatever you buy, for your best enjoyment, I'd highly suggest to get one with a red LED readout
Not an LCD readout, LCD is black like your digital watch, unreadable in dim light.
--------------------------
You also want it to be able to range off Trees, not just reflective objects like buildings or rocks
My Leica does this pretty well with a new battery.
Thats one issue you should research, how are they when the battery is down to say 50%
I read most other units either wont range past 600 or need too large of a reflective object to accurately even range at all, which kept bringing me back to the Vortex which seems to have good battery characteristics...
.(Think Aimpoint type Battery life and usability)
You dont really care if it only ranges 200 times, before draining a battery
as long as it ranges to its full advertised yardage 200 times (as opposed to maybe 30 times before it's virtually useless, the Leica Models do well here but is almost double the price of a Vortex)
--------------------------
And pardon my long post but you really don't want to wish you held out and spent just another $150 for double the quality, and versatility of something like an LRF. They're indispensable for Long Range Hits past 600 yds, (within 600 you can simply use your Mil reticle)
---------------------------
IE: Check out what the Steiner M830R is capable of using a 1535 nM laser
1535nm wavelength exhibits strong atmospheric penetration ability, enhancing long range distance measurements, (IE: the laser must still punch through the atmosphere even if conditions are clear.)

 

[ISS]

I have had zero issues with the SIG. Ever! That said, I did buy a Vortex Impact 4000. = belt and suspenders security...

 

[ELR LVR]

I have had zero issues with the SIG. Ever! That said, I did buy a Vortex Impact 4000. = belt and suspenders security...

Well thats good to know then

One guy had to send his in because the display got dim over time and was SOL because Sig told him that
" warranty on Electro Optics is only 5 years,"

Here is a link

Sig’s warranty with electro optics

My Sig Kilo 2000 Display is barely showing anything on its brightest setting. I call up Sig’s customer service and they tell me that it was manufactured on 11/16 and falls outside of their 5 year warranty on optics BY A MONTH. All they can offer me is a discount on a new one. This is a surprise...

rokslide.com

Maybe that has changed since I read reviews of them a couple years ago?
An infinite warranty should be? I dunno, at least 10 years?
so good thing no issues with yours...is yours the Binocs or Monocular?
Hows your battery life as I've read a few people have had problems with the Sig draining batteries rather quickly.

 

[X Count]

I just had a bit more of a look at the vortex rangefinders. Pretty much the Razor 4000 GB is the closest equivalent to the SIG kilo K3 but is twice the price. The range of the ballistic calculator is unrestricted and it has a better way of accounting for wind strength and angle in the rangefinder

As you mention. Vortex will have a better warranty. The thing that could stuff it would be geo ballistics obsolescence. I don't see applied ballistics disappearing but I'm not so familiar with geo ballistics.

 

[ISS]

I am 75 1/2. If It lasts five more years I will call it good!

Insert smiling emoji here _________.

 

[X Count]

Here's a pretty thorough review and comparison on the Vortex 4000 GB against the SIG 5k and 8k

Razor HD 4000 GB Review

A while back, I got a chance to test out a set of Vortex Fury AB binos and was pretty impressed. So when I saw that they had a new CRF in the Razor lineup that included full environmentals, a new ballistics engine, their wind capture system, and some form of a connection to a Kestrel, I was...

www.snipershide.com

 

[Jarhead6870]

I may be the odd man out but I’m not a fan of combo units. I can see the advantage if shooting competitively but as a recreational shooter they are not necessary in my opinion. I use a single purpose rangefinder, Kestrel and a ballistic program and have not found it lacking in my ability to engage targets out past 2 miles.

I do use a military grade LRF for the longer distances but use a Vortex Razor 4000 HD for the shorter stuff, a mile and closer. It has worked well and is price friendly.

One of my biggest reservations with the combo units is if there is a failure of the device. Instead of being down one function, you’re down two or three while repairs are being made. Having stand alone devices solves that issue.

 

[X Count]

I may be the odd man out but I’m not a fan of combo units. I can see the advantage if shooting competitively but as a recreational shooter they are not necessary in my opinion. I use a single purpose rangefinder, Kestrel and a ballistic program and have not found it lacking in my ability to engage targets out past 2 miles.

I do use a military grade LRF for the longer distances but use a Vortex Razor 4000 HD for the shorter stuff, a mile and closer. It has worked well and is price friendly.

One of my biggest reservations with the combo units is if there is a failure of the device. Instead of being down one function, you’re down two or three while repairs are being made. Having stand alone devices solves that issue.

You can still use the rangefinder, app and wind meter independently of each other.

If the wind meter dies you can take atmospherics from the range finder and estimate wind and use the up down buttons to adjust strength to give you a solution in the rangefinder and on the app.

You can save 3 gun profiles directly to the rangefinder so if the app dies you can use the wind meter for speed and again use the up and down buttons on the range finder to set wind speed. Depending on the situation you may be able to use a different app.

If the range finder dies you back to guessing distance. You can still manually enter range in the app and get a solution.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Why not just use something like Onx, I use it regularly out prairie dogging.

 

[Jarhead6870]

Multi-task units work fine until they don’t. I’ve been shooting longer than they have been out so I’ve already invested in equipment that serves my needs.

Purpose and Budget. It’s what I tell shooters looking at equipment. Decide what will serve YOU across your shooting needs and get the best you can afford.

 

[X Count]

Why not just use something like Onx, I use it regularly out prairie dogging.

My understanding is there is essentially paralex error depending on the exact position of the satellite and your at the mercy of a connection?

 

[ELR LVR]

I am 75 1/2. If It lasts five more years I will call it good!

Insert smiling emoji here _________.

Gotcha haha...
The Sig models.... ARE very well priced though